by AC Guillermo
It is ironic how the two major sports car series in North America are ending their seasons. The Grand-Am at a dusty, empty raceway with a disappointing, dwindling car count and a lackluster race. Competitors in the soon-to-be NASCAR Road Racing Series were in a funk, skeptical of the future.
Meanwhile, the American Le Mans Series will likely have an epic event at Road Atlanta (I will be there, my first ALMS race!), and an equally thrilling showdown at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, complete with fans and media.
The eminent NASCARization of Grand-Am gave Miller Motorsports Park a funereal atmosphere. Over at Road Atlanta, the ALMS appears to be riding a wave of enthusiasm.
At this point, regular A.C. readers are saying, “What the heck happened to A.C.? He was among Grand-Am’s biggest supporters. Did the ISC stop paying him? Has the News-Journal officially lifted its blackout of ALMS coverage? Did the ISC Security Department revoke his parking privileges? Did SunTrust reject his refinancing application?”
Well all you conspiracy theorists can rest easy. A.C. still knows Grand-Am will prevail. Deep down inside, I know Le Mans is over-rated and the only thing that matters is low cost, low tech racing. But I’m not yet convinced about this NASCAR thing. Is this the end of the beginning, or the beginning of the end, for Grand-Am?
A prominent car owner asked me at the Vegas banquet. “If they can’t even get a crowd for the Rolex 24, how is NASCAR going to make this work? Their idea of promoting road racing is having a Ferris wheel in the infield. Is this the extent of NASCAR’s sports car promoting expertise? Do they think forcing a few Sprint Cup teams to enter the series will make Grand-Am successful? Do they really believe rovals are the answer?”
Another team owner cornered me at Salt Lake City and suggested I do a column on how NASCAR will force out all the road racing teams that were loyal to the series, in favor of teams with previous NASCAR connections.
A veteran Grand-Am official also voiced some concern, stating: “If you think the rules are screwed up now, just wait. We’ve already been put on notice that the new rulebook will emphasize NASCAR-style ‘controlled results,’ whatever that means.”
As concerned as I am, let me be the first person to assure you that NASCARization is not a bad thing. It will be different. It may require an “adjustment period.” But as I mentioned in a previous column, the boys in Daytona Beach know their stuff. Things might look a little bleak right now, but it will all work out in the end. And always remember, they have ways to “convince” teams not to jump ship and run in the ALMS.
Yes, Salt Lake City was a bummer. A dusty, rainy (go figure) and gloomy day in the desert. But I am anxious to see what really goes on at those ALMS elitist orgies, so my first trip to Road Atlanta’s Petit Le Mans should be quite an experience. I doubt it will have the excitement and atmosphere of a New Jersey or Iowa, but we shall see. And I bet they don’t have a Ferris wheel!